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Hampton family

Down

I a still trying to trace relatives of my greatgrandfather David Orr Hampton who emigrated to New Zealand in 1863 as a school master on the ship Chariot of Fame. His life in NZ is well documented as he became an Anglican priest here but we know very little of his family in Ireland. A wonderful book has been published on the emigration of the Hamptons to NZ but unfortunately it does not include our Hamptons from County Down. David Orr Hampton was born in Ballynagarrick about 1841. We think David had a brother John who also came to NZ. He married Jane Irwin and they named their son David Orr [maybe in honour of his uncle]. My greatgrandfather's death certificate shows his mother's maiden name as Nancy but her first name is not recorded. His father's name is not recorded either. We would dearly love to know a little more of our Irish heritage, and why David came to NZ and do we have relatives still living in Ireland? Hoping someone can help. Ann from NZ

 

 

IrelandXO member

4 replies

Dear Ann

I have forwarded this to a volunteer in a neighbouring parish who may be able to give some pointers.

Best wishes

Clare Doyle 

Genealogy Support 

IrelandXO member

There are 4 townlands named Ballynagarrick in Co Down. You haven’t said which one but I am going to guess that your family came from Ballyngarrick in Tullylish parish. I can see a couple of households there in the 1901 census:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Down/Tullylish/Ballynagamick/

 I note that they were Church of Ireland. Tullylish COI baptism and marriage records start in 1820, so that’s probably the place to look for David and John’s baptisms, and that of any siblings. Tullylish baptisms are not on-line anywhere so far as I am aware. There is a copy in PRONI (the public record office) in Belfast. If you can get someone to call there you can look them up. You can also write to the Rector/Vicar but if he/she agrees to look the records up, you can expect to pay a search fee. (Something like £19 per hour).

1 probate file in PRONI:

Administration of the Estate of Thomas Hampton late of Ballynagarrick County Down Farmer who died 29 December 1916 granted at Belfast to Annie M. Hampton Spinster.

PRONI also hold this under D1046/305:

Moses Hampton and Robert Hampton of Ballynagarrick, Co. Down. Bundle containing Assignments, Agreements and Receipts. Ballynagarrick, Co. Down.

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

Knocknamuckley's St Matthias census 1857

John Hampton 38 weaver and Ann 38  children David 16 weaver, John 15 weaver, James 13, William Henry 11, George 9, Mary Anne 7, Thomas 5, Isaac 3, Rebecca Jane infant  I see John's baptism Feb 9th 1845 to John and Nancy and William Henry in 1846 which is as far as I have alphabetized.  I don't think John is there or the marriage but will recheck this and other records.

David Hampton 68 and Esther 58 are nearby with Jane 10 and Ann Scott 50.  I would check the location of these folks in askaboutireland to see if the properties are adjoining.  David also had son James 25 who married Margaret Glendinning in 1856 and had dau Hannah infant.

I don't know if they are related to the Blearry Hamptons, but can give you information on them if you think it might help.

 

Kat_C

There were other people from the same area who went on the same ship.  A Hampton researcher (search on cropdoc for someone researching the same family) said she wondered if William Hampton (father Wm) of Corcreany who married  Jane (Sands of Bleary) was an uncle of John.  He is also on the same ship travelling with a young Leathem boy. In addition my John Doak of Gilford (family really from Ballynagarrick) is on the ship.  A few other names look familiar, but I don't know they are from the same area.  Rents were rising fast in Tullylish, factory work was becoming more common, and land could not be bought. Many people just wanted a better future as they were being caught in a financial squeeze, especially if they were trying to both weave and farm on their property.  I would not be surprised if letters were sent home from NZ and read over and over again to relatives who spoke of great opportunities.  More Leathems are in NZ, so I would ask their researcher when they arrived.  David Hampton (father Wm laborer)  married Elizabeth Leathem in Donaghcloney/Waringstown COI.  I can see Margaret born to William and Mary perhaps in Taughrane 1830, but no more kids listed in the next 5 years and the records begin in 1829. David said he was born about 1828. I will try pre 1771 records to see if anything is there that will link the families. .

Anyway, cropdoc said there was thought to be 9 kids of John and Ann and she had records for 7, Rebecca Jane b 1859  after the census and George and James though to be born 1843 and 1845 for whom there are no records. She said Thomas was the only child to stay near his parents.  The researcher said Nancy is Ann Wilson and I don't know if she is one of my Wilsons, but I doubt it. Can't find the marriage record. 

Another Hampton researcher (search on Stanley) says James Hampton (son of Ballynagarrick David and probably your David's uncle )m. Margaret Glendinning was the first Hampton to arrive Jan 1859 followed by David and Eliz(Leathem) May 1859. "These two men sent a Bill from the Colony" for Wm Hampton m. Jane Sands and baby John.

Kat_C

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